Automatic apparatus for the taking of liquid samples



Oct. 427, 1953 E, H, Cox 'ET AL 2,656,724

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR THE TAKING 0F LIQUID SAMPLES Filed D6G. 29, 1950J4. INVENToRs Patented Oct. 27, 1953 AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR THE TAKINGOF LIQUID SAMPLES Elmer H. Cox and Harry B. Copeland, Martinsville, Ill.

Application December 29, 1950, Serial No. 203,512

(Cl. 'i3- 422) 1 Claim.

The present invention `relates. to an automatic apparatus for the takingof liquid samples and it consists in the combinations, constructions andarrangements of parts herein described and claimed.

Generally there is provided an apparatus for taking of samples ofliquids at timed intervals and in a definite quantity in each of suchsamples. A housing is provided wherein is mounted a revoluble measuringdevice which is mechanically connected to an electric motor which, inturn, is electrically connected to a timer. The measuring device isconnected by a pipe to a source of liquid to be measured and by a dis-`charge pipe from which the measured samples may be received. Novelmechanical means, including a shock absorber, Vis provided forcontrolling a valve interposed in the line leading from `the source ofsupply to themeasuring de vice. There is also provided a novel agitator.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a novelautomatic apparatus for the taking of liquid samples which isparticularly adaptable to the taking of such samples from pipelines orthe like.

A further object ofthe invention is the provision, in a device of thecharacter set forth, of a novel motor-operated measuring device.

l A further object of the invention is the provision, in a device of thecharacter set forth, of novel means 'for the disposition of overflowfrom the measuring device. i

i A further object of the invention is the pro-V vision, in a device ofthe character set forth, of a novel valve-operating mechanism forming apart ofthe invention.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from areading of the following speciiication taken in conjunction with thedrawing, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view Vof an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical fragmentary sectional view, partly4 inelevation, and illustratlng a measuring device and valve-operatingmechanism `both forming a part of the invention,

Figure 3 is a sectional view `taken substantially along line 3--3 ofFigure 2, and being shown partly in elevation,

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of a roller utilized in theinvention,

Figure 5 `is a side elevational view of Figure 4, and

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along line` --s of Figure 4.

; and a lower iitting` 2 Referring more particularly to the drawing,there is shown therein a container generally indicated at I0 and havingmounted therein an electric motor I I connected by suitably insulatedwires I2 with a panel I3 which is, in turn, connected by suitablyinsulated wiring I4 with a timer I5, the latter being preferably of theelectrically operated type.

A meter, generally indicated at I6, is likewise mounted within thehousing l0 and consists essentially of a cylindrical casing I1 whichextends horizontally with reference to the ground and which is providedwith an upper fitting I8 I9. Revolubly mounted within the casing I1 `isa solid cylindrical rotor 20 which is provided centrally with an axiallyextending opening 2i in this case extending beyond the longitudinal axisof the rotor 20.

integrally formed at the inner end of the rotor 20 is a shaft 22 whichextends through an inner end cap 23 which is threaded to the casing I1,as indicated at 24. Suitable packing 25 is interposed between `the shaft22 and the end cap 23. The shaft 22 isprovided with. a reduced portion26 which has aflixed thereto a coupling member 21 by means of a metalscrew 28 or the like. The coupling 21 is coupledto a coupling 29 carriedby the shaft of the motor II. An outer end cap is threadably connectedto the casing I1, as indicated at 3|, the outer end cap being indicatedat 30. Connected to the fitting I9 andextending downwardly through thelower end of the housing ID is a discharge pipe 32 while connected withthe fitting I8 is an upwardly extending relatively short pipe 33whoseupper end is threadably connected with a valve housing 34. A spiralagitator 35 is mounted in the pipe 33 and seated in the upper end ofthepipe 33 isa Valve 3E having an upguideway 42.

as indicated at 39, to the upper end of a standard 40 whose lower end isainxed to a horizontal bracket member 4I one end of which encom-` passesthe valve housing 34 and the other end of which is ailixed to a verticalcylindrical A lower horizontal bracket member 43 is likewise airixed tothe guideway 42 and is attached to the upper end of the casing I1 bywelding or like means.

A compression spring 44 surrounds the valve` stem 31 and bears againstthe upper end of the valve housing 34 and the lower end of one side ofthe rocker arm 38.

An upper plunger 45 is vertically and slidably mounted in the upper endof the guideway 42 and is provided with a reduced portion 46 whichextendsupwardly and through the other end of the rocker arm 38 andterminates in a collar 41. A lower cylindrical plunger 4.8 is verticallyand slidably mounted in the lower end' of the guideway 42 and has aroller 49 mounted in the lower end thereof. A compression spring 50 ismounted within the guideway 42 and bears against the lower end of theplunger 45 andltheupper endof7 the plunger 48.

A cam roller I is aixed to the shaft 22` between the end plate 23 andthe coupling 21-.byy means of a metal screw 52 or the like and isgenerally cylindrical in shape.Y The: outerV pe riphery is, however,provided with an arcuate indentation 53. A circular adjusting plate 54whose outer measurements are identical with the roller 5l is mounteduponl the shaft 22 between the roller 5i and the couplingx21f. The plate5'4: is provided with'an arcuateslot 55 through which a headed bolt 56"extends and which bolt is threadably engaged in theside of theV roller5l. The plate 54 is provided; with an arcuate indentaw tion'iny itsAouter periphery, as indicated at 51".

The inner face of the en'd cap` 23VI is.y provided with a circularrecess58fin-which-may be' mounted a Garlock closure. 'I-'he valvehousing 34 is connected with an inlet pipe 55* which extends laterallythroughV the housing I' and whichis providedwith a tting 6l)l with whichthesame may be connected with apipeor the like-through which acontinuous' ow of liquid to' be tested' passes.

The pipe 32 is provided with a fitting G-l with which may beconnectedva/ pipe or conduit which may lead the fluid dischargedfromthe'metering device IB- tov a point where the same may be tested. iY

Ai'ltting 62 is threada'bly connectedfinan openv ingv 53 adjacent theupper end of they casing t1- and has connected thereto a generally downwardly extending conduit 63a which is, in tum connected withsuitablettings 64'- which extend through one side of-z thel container|01 andI which, in their turn, are connected with' thesourceof uidsupply.

In operation', it will-f beappar'entV thatwhen apredetermined period.-ofV timez has elapsed, the timer l5 will act to' supplyV electricalcurrentt'o the motor l I which will revolve the rotor 2'0' through themotor shaft, thev coupling members' 2-'1 and 29 andtheY rotor shaft 22..It will be 4 example in Figures 1 and 2. This last mentioned action willact to lift the valve stem 31 through the action of the compressionspring 44 to thus lift the valve 36 and its seat in the upper end of thepipe 33. This action will allow oil or other fluid from the source ofsupply to be tested to pass momentarily through the pipe 33 and intothe. recess 2|. which willI thereafter, through the further` revolutionof the rotor deliver the sample thus ensconced in such recess 2l to theoutlet pipe 32. As the roller 49 leaves the combined indentations 53 and51. it will again impinge uponLthe: combined outer faces of the members;5l and 54 thus reversing the action heretofore referred to to thus closethe valve 36'. It' will'be understood that the sample of i'luid thusreceived and delivered by the recess 2| may then-y be l'edf tot any;suitable place by a conduit connection with the fitting 6l after whichit may be tested for water content, impurities and theV like.

It willalso=be s'eenthat the'combined indentations`- 53l andi 51 maybemade larger-'or smaller by adjusting' therelative position of the-plate54 with respectvto the roller 51V through the loosening'and tighteningof the screw 56 which passes through the notch 55I and it will also beapparent'- that the agitator willi imparta spiral motion to' the fluidentering the recess 2f|- from the pipe 59y to'ther'eby assure the' fluidproperlyllingthe recess 2l. Again, it will be appar-entv that any excessof uid received in therecess' 21' will` be forced outwardly through theopening 63 and thence into the overow conduit 63a whenceit will`l bedelivered back` to the source of supply; This will occur as the rotor-2-0" completes itsrevolution after being inlr registry wit-h1 thefitting` l`8.

Whilebut oneform of the invention hasv been shown and described herein,it will be readily apparentl tothoseskilled inI the art thatv many minormodications may be made'v without deunderstoodthat the recess 2l willb'elriormally facing ina downward position andi it will be furtherunderstoodt that the m'otor lil will"v act toperformbut one revolutionwhenl activatedby the timer' I5' and a suitable source o'f electrical"current.

As' the rotor turns within'. the casing: I1, the recess 21will:eventuallyregister'with the fittingV7 I8'. I As thisoccurs'theroller 4'9 will drop. intoA theY combined indentations 53 and51 Yfor such: time as theyA register'with such roller 49. This actionwill allcwr a= downward movement of; the-f plungerV481andiconsequently'a downward move'- ment of the plunger 45 which, inturn;.willlcauseC the; rocker arm;` to f move: clojcllzwise;l as; viewedfor parting from the spirit'- of theinvention or the scope of theappended claim.

What isy claimed is:

An apparatus ofthe character described comprising, in combination, arevoluble-metering device having a casing provided`r with an inlet atits upper' side andi anv outlet at itsvlower si'de, al rotor; inl saidcasing hav-ing a' radially extendingrecess registerable consecutivelywith: said inlet andsaid outlet', an electricQmoto'r connectedwith saidrotor, al timing device supplying electrical current to said motor atipredetermined' intervals, a valve, a vertical pipe intercorariectinglsaid-valve and said1 inlet, av conduit-, interconnecting said' valveandi a source of! flowingliquid, andi means actuated by said motor fo'rfopening said valve when said recess isin registry' with said inlet andclosing sai'df valvel whensaidrecess.` is: out'- oi?i registry with saidinlet..

. ELMER'- COX.

HAR, Y RY Bi COPELANDl References Git'ed theile ofthis' patentV UNITEDvs'rATE'slPA-TENTS Giuardet ai i May 1.6.'.4 1944

